Agriculture & Farming

Champaign County is home to a vast and vibrant agricultural community. Farming operations grow corn, soybeans, and other commodity crops; large-scale farms like Michael Farms and Michael Family Farm produce potatoes and green beans for local groceries and national markets.

We are especially proud of our growing specialty farming industry. These farms - often small, family-run operations - take pride in their product and are committed to quality. From bison to berries, freshwater shrimp to fruit-bearing trees, our local farmers offer almost anything you can name.

Fast Facts

Champaign County is home to nearly 900 farms.

​Our farm industry produces over $130 million in cash receipts each year.

Over 70% of Champaign County’s 426 square miles is used for cultivated crops.

"Farming and serving rural communities has been and always will be a tough job…governed by things we have little control of when change is accelerating. Perhaps it is that challenge that makes it great."​- Eric N. Parthemore, President & CEO, Heritage Cooperative